Gulfport woman competes for cover of Inked Magazine. Here’s how to help her.

A Kansas City psychic predicted the exact day Gulfport resident Kristie Lynn McCready would meet the man of her dreams. But, there were two roadblocks in this prediction: McCready was already in a relationship and she was skeptical of psychics.

McCready recently came across the psychic’s card with the date and two stick figures holding hands drawn on the back of it.

She realized the prediction had come true years later on a night out with friends when the self-proclaimed wild, free spirit met a Gulfport father of four.

Her only regret is she didn’t get a tattoo to commemorate the life-changing event.

“When you look at your tattoo, you will always remember where you were, how you felt and what you were doing at that time,” she said.

McCready got her favorite tattoo on a road trip.

“I converted an ambulance with someone I barely knew and traveled the country for a year, during the pandemic,” she said. “And met a tattoo artist in Taos, New Mexico and he did it in his living room.”

McCready’s next tattoo may be one by Ryan Ashley to commemorate winning a cover on “Inked” Magazine. Ashley, the eighth season champion of “Ink Master,” season 14 judge of “Ink Master” and star of “Ink Master: Angels,” offered an hour session as part of the contest’s prize package.

McCready is one of two Mississippi Coast women competing in the contest and both have sailed through the first four rounds of the tattoo magazine’s annual contest.

McCready and Biloxi resident Tía Dickerson finished this week’s round in first place of the final five contestants in their groups.

While only halfway through the competition, coming in first place of a group of 47 contestants has its advantages. All of their votes have rolled over into the new round, the Group Finals.

“I thought the contest was one and done, but it’s been like the longest process ever,” said McCready.

Inked Magazine officials told the Sun Herald the competition started four weeks ago with 1,700 groups of 47 contestants each. McCready and Dickerson held on to the top spot in every round. They know they’re in the lead, but have no way of knowing if they have enough votes to remain in first place for this week’s group finals.

Voting for the finals started Thursday and will continue until Thursday, March 16, when the first-place winners of each group will advance to the quarterfinals and votes will be reset to zero.

Those in second place by Thursday will have one last chance to stay in the competition, a two-day wildcard round. Winners of each wildcard group will advance to the quarterfinals.

In addition to the cover of a magazine and exclusive tattoo session with Ashley, the prize package includes a photo session and $25,000.

“$25,000 would be life changing,” Dickerson told the Sun Herald. “You could do a lot with $25,000 if you haven’t had anything your whole life.” Dickerson’s wish list includes a down payment for a house and a safe, reliable car for her and her daughter.

For McCready, the money would be invested into her newest business venture, The Parlour on Lorraine, a venue she rents for special occasions.

“I would save it or invest it into a rental property or another business,” said the free spirit. “But let’s be real, I would probably take the family on a dream vacation.”

To help McCready and Dickerson get one step closer to their dreams, you can vote once for free every 24 hours or buy up to 250 votes at a dollar a vote. The money helps support MusiCares, a nonprofit that provides services and resources to professional musicians in need.